Upcoming sessions
Fall/Winter Session
| Date(s) | September 24-26, 2026 November 19-21, 2026 January 14-16, 2027 |
| Time | 8:30am - 4:30pm |
| Format | In-person |
| Location | James W. Burns Executive Education Centre |
| Cost | $8,750 +GST |
Registration and fees
For this session, program fees cover all sessions, materials, breakfast, and lunch. Materials will be provided at the start of the program unless otherwise noted. For any questions, please contact our team or visit our FAQ page.
Overview and impact
MBA Essentials empowers Manitoba’s next generation of leaders to think strategically, lead with confidence, and drive sustainable growth in a digital and interconnected world.
The MBA Essentials program equips current and emerging leaders with the insight, agility, and confidence to lead in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape. Through immersive, applied learning experiences, participants strengthen their ability to think strategically, lead people, manage change, and harness innovation to drive organizational growth and resilience.
This flexible, stackable program bridges the gap between management practice and executive-level strategy. It prepares participants for senior leadership roles across Manitoba’s priority sectors—including manufacturing, agriculture, technology, and financial services—and provides a pathway toward the Asper MBA.
Delivered through three focused three-day sessions over six months, giving you time to apply and build between modules, MBA Essentials combines faculty-led learning, applied projects, and peer collaboration. Participants complete a Capstone Strategic Challenge, a real-world project demonstrating measurable business impact.
At the conclusion of the program, participants receive a Certificate of Completion from the I.H. Asper School of Business’ James W. Burns Executive Education Centre.
Learning outcomes
- Apply systems thinking and scenario planning to anticipate disruption and align organizational strategy with long-term value creation.
- Evaluate digital and AI opportunities to make informed, data-driven decisions that advance innovation and sustainable growth.
- Design and lead change initiatives using evidence-based frameworks that build momentum and deliver measurable outcomes.
- Build high-performing, inclusive team cultures by applying strategies that strengthen engagement, psychological safety, and succession readiness.
- Assess enterprise risk — including cyber, ESG, and operational threats — and develop resilience strategies that protect organizational continuity.
- Interpret financial and market data to construct sound business cases and negotiate with confidence at the executive level.
- Apply financial thinking to operational and strategic decisions, linking resource allocation, risk, and investment choices to long-term value creation.
- Develop and execute strategic communication plans that align stakeholders, strengthen organizational reputation, and drive action.
- Produce an applied strategic project that demonstrates measurable business impact and readiness for senior leadership responsibility.
Participant profile
This program is ideal for:
- Emerging and mid-career leaders preparing for executive or director-level roles
- Business owners and entrepreneurs seeking to expand leadership capacity and scale growth
- Public sector and non-profit leaders driving transformation and innovation
- Functional managers in finance, operations, HR, marketing, or technology who aspire to strategic influence
Return on investment
For you
- Expanded capability in strategic, digital, and enterprise leadership.
- Tools to lead transformation, manage risk, and drive measurable results.
- Greater readiness for senior and executive roles across functions and sectors.
- A strategic peer network of high-performing leaders across sectors.
- A completed, organization-relevant Capstone Strategic Challenge.
- A clear pathway into the Asper MBA with 4.5 credits already earned.
For your organization
- Immediate ROI from an applied Capstone Strategic Challenge tied to your priorities.
- Stronger bench strength for succession planning and transformation initiatives.
- Leaders with increased readiness for complex, enterprise-level challenge.
- Retention of high-potential talent and enhanced digital and innovation leadership capacity.
Seamless pathway to the Asper MBA
For experienced professionals, MBA Essentials, combined with GMAC Business Fundamentals, provides a seamless pathway into the Asper MBA.
The GMAC Business Fundamentals bundle, when paired with the successful completion of the MBA Essentials program, creates a seamless pathway to MBA admission — with no undergraduate degree or GMAC exam required. Just bring your professional work experience and demonstrated readiness to succeed.
GMAC Business Fundamentals equips you with the essential knowledge needed to begin your graduate business journey with confidence. This comprehensive bundle builds your capabilities in three core areas — Statistics, Finance, and Accounting — ensuring you’re fully prepared for the demands of an MBA. Together, these courses provide a strong, well-rounded foundation, helping you succeed from day one.
Discover more
Contact us
Sign up for our email newsletter and be the first to hear about program updates from the James W. Burns Executive Education Centre.
James W. Burns Executive Education Centre
2nd floor
177 Lombard Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 0W5